image-in-ing: 2024

Irish National Stud

I had no idea that horse racing was such a huge deal in Ireland until we visited the National Stud in County Kildare. This immense and beautifully tended property is the home of some of the finest racing horses... and their fathers. Mares can visit for purposes of insemination, which is done the old-fashioned "natural" way. And the cost of obtaining such services isn't trivial! It's a fascinating place and well worth the visit!

Avoca Mill

Avoca Mill in County Wicklow, Ireland is the oldest still in operation in Ireland. It was fascinating seeing the process of weaving "the old way" and watching the process as it has evolved today. The colors are vibrant an the quality is superlative.

A stroll through the cemetery

In Glendalough, Ireland there is a gorgeous area with an old cemetery with a remarkably well preserved "ring tower" and the ruins of an old church, and the priest's residence. Actually, as we walked along amidst the gravestones, we noticed that many of the stones were of recent vintage, but marked by mold from the damp climate that Ireland is so famous for. Fortunately, nature was kind to us and we saw very little rain during our travels.

Beautiful to behold!

The reddish deer found in Glendalough, County Wicklow, are exotic to my American eyes, and certainly far, far more tame than the deer found here "across the pond"! I tried to look them up online and think I may have seen "silka deer", one of several varieties of deer found on the Emerald Isle? Does anyone know for sure?

Glendalough in County Wicklow

On the road... in Ireland

Budding artist?

While we were at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, which we visited in June, I saw this young man - perhaps inspired by the art work he'd seen - drawing on his sketch pad. He was making invitations for his October birthday. So now that it's October, I thought I'd reach out into cyberspace to extend my birthday wishes!